Archie Samuel King

Durham- Archie Samuel “Sam” King, 58, passed away on December 4, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer.

Sam was born on January 16, 1952 in Winston-Salem, NC. He was pre-deceased by his maternal grandparents, Samuel and Hattie Williard, and his paternal grandparents, Numa Archie and Bessie King.

Sam graduated from RJ Reynolds High School in 1969 and received a BA from Elon College in 1973. In addition, he earned a Certified Heath Consultant license from Purdue University in 1990. After he became married to Mary Louise Pearce in 1979, he relocated to Aberdeen, NC until 1989 when he moved to Durham. He was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and his faith was an important part of his life.

Sam was employed with Coventry Healthcare until March, 2009 when he became disabled. He was very well respected in his field because of his ongoing commitment to his career and the many lasting relationships he developed with his colleagues in the health and life insurance industry. He was a member and past President of the Triangle Associates of Heath Underwriters and served on the Board of Directors. Sam won many sales awards for excellence during his 30 year career.

Sam’s favorite pastimes were his love of golf, playing his banjo and spending time with family and friends, many of which he had known since elementary school. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Mary Louise Pearce King, two daughters, Wendy King Elder and husband, Michael of Durham; Ashley King of Raleigh; parents James and Betty King of Winston-Salem; sister, Kim King Long and husband, Kimbrough, nephews, Matthew and Joseph Long of Harrisburg, NC; and sister-in-law, Anne Pearce of New Bern, NC.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM on Dec. 8, 2010 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with the Reverend Doug Lain officiating. A private burial will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston-Salem.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Duke Home Health and Hospice as well as Dr. Daniel George, and staff and Dr. Bryant Inman and staff at the Private Diagnostic Clinic. In addition, the family would like to thank the many friends who donated their time and unselfishly helped the family during the duration of Sam’s illness.

Condolence Messages

My heart goes out to Sammys family in this time of sorrow. I have know Sammy for 21 years since our days at BCBSNC. We shared many great experiences during these years and remember the many times that he made me laugh until I cried. He will be greatly missed and I am saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sam and I had fun going to Wake Forest basketball games, playing golf together, and eating. He and I laughed a bunch! He always put others first in his life, and he set an excellent example for all of us to follow. Our faith assures us that we’ll be with Sam one day in Heaven. God Bless Sam and his family.

Sam will always occupy a special place in my heart as the memory of him reading scripture at our wedding will never fade. He will be missed and loved forever. My deepest sympathies to his dear wife, Mary Louise, and beautiful daughters, Wendy and Ashley. Please know that we are here for you all, any time and any place.
Love, Sandy Blevins

I am so saddened to hear this news about the passing of our friend Sam. I have warm memories of him at health insurance gatherings where he was sure to deliver a big smile, a helping hand and a kind word. What made Sam so special to me though was how, regardless of the topic of conversation or the actual words said, he always had an unspoken way of letting you know that he was a man of God.

Deepest condolences are sent to the family that he loved so much. Although I never met any of you personally, Sam spoke of you passionately! I hope it helps to know that others are praying for you.
May he rest in peace, forever.

My heartfelt sympathies to the family. I had occasion to work with Sam through Wellpath and found him to be a joyful gentleman with a dedicated heart. I’m so sorry for your loss. May you find joy in the memories of such a wonderful soul. God bless you in your time of mourning.

Mary Louise, Ashley & Wendy: My heart goes out to you all. He loved you all so very much. I will miss him terribly, as he was truly one of my very best friends. He is in a better place now. May god give you all the strength you need to carry on. He will remain in our hearts forever. My sincere condolences. I am here for you now and always. Michele

Sam was a wonderful man, father, and husband. I knew Sam from our early days at BCBSNC. He was such a pleasure to work with, and you always left a conversation with him with a smile on your face. He was a great representative of the health insurance industry and will be greatly missed.

The first time I met Sam, we were attending a training session that ran late and lunch time was being cut short. Sam said, “There might not be time for lunch but there’s time for ice cream” so he took orders and made a run for it. Well, you’ve got to love a guy who shares your priorities! My heartfelt condolences to his family,friends and co-workers.

Sam will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Sam and his family. He always spoke so proudly of his family. I hope you find comfort in your happy memories of Sam, and in the love that he had for you all.

For anyone who knew Sam, enjoyed his fun-loving personality. It was common to hear Sam humming or singing in the office, telling a joke and bringing our entire department to tears, laughing. Sam was his own person and true to what he stood for, honesty, integrity and respect. Sam was a humble, kind, joyful and giving man.

Sam, anytime I think of you, there will always be a smile on my face and a joyful heart. Thank you for the memories. I am blessed to have known you. You are missed.

Sam will always be remembered by his fun loving personality, and his heartfelt touch they he extended to so many around him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of his family, at this very difficult time.

My heart goes out to your family. I know the pain of losing a father. Sam reminded me of my own father. I had the pleasure of working next to Sam at WellPath. He was so kind and always took the time to stop what he was doing and help if you needed it. You could tell he loved his job and his family. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

ML, Wendy, Ashley, and all the Family,
Sam will truly be missed. His pleasant manner and sense of humor brought smiles to everyone. May a lifetime of memories bring you comfort. We love you.
Boz & Bobby

So sorry to hear about Sam’s passing. I enjoyed working with him thru BCBS and all our fun travels to Switzerland,Disney world and several other trips thru BCBS and American Bankers.He was always jovial,humble,at the same time aggresive and great to be around.He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.Much love to his family.
Gene

Ashley,
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Last year, I remember you talking about him at lunch…something about an assignment you had for school and he just “had to help” you work on a project. You ended up getting a worse grade than if he had just let you do it yourself– that story made you laugh as a teacher now and we laughed with you! It sounds like he was a hands-on dad, and that is what we all need, for however long they are able to stay with us.
Peace and blessings to you and your family,
Ann, Joe, Oliver, and Maeve

So sorry to hear about Sam’s passing. I met Sam several years ago — he was a co-worker of my late husband, Chris Pritchett thru BCBSNC. Our circles continued to cross over the years and he always greated me with a smile when we saw each other. He will be greatly missed. Much love to his family

My deepest sympathy! I had the pleasure of working with Sam at BCBSNC for many years. He was a true gem! Such a gentlemen and was always welcoming you with a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. He will be missed!

Sam was a good friend and co-worker from our days at Mid-South Insurance Co., and a pleasure to work with in his years as a rep, as well as to party with and listen to his banjo. He always had a knowing smile and an encouraging word. I look forward to catching up with him one day in the “sweet bye and bye”. I love you Sam.

I knew Sam from his time at MidSouth and WellPath, he was always very professional and I can’t remember him ever not smiling!
Our industry will miss such a caring friend as will I.
My thoughts and prayers will be with the King family.
Jim

Dear Mary Louise, Wendy, Ashley and family, To know Sam was to love Sam. We worked together at BCBSNC. He was always a gentleman and kept us laughing. I remember him bragging about getting Mary Louise a “self-propelled” lawn mower for a gift and then the ladies in the office giving him a hard time over it. One thing for sure, he loved his girls. He always spoke of you with love. I will never forget the Christmas a few of us did a skit for our office luncheon. It was called “The 12 Pains of Christmas”. Sam was the one “rigging up the lights”. At the end of the skit, we had Sam wrapped up in Christmas lights, and they were blinking!!! You know, we just need more “Sam’s” in this world. Our love and prayers are with you.

With the deepest heartfelt condolences, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Sam.
As a cousin from the “north”, I always enjoyed his friendship when I visited Archie & Bess and the family in the summertime, so long ago.
It is comforting to know that his faith was strong and knowing he is now cured from all pain and illness.
After losing my mom exactly 30 days ago and having also lost a son as well, I know that the scriptures are true and that God’s love will never leave and He will always sustain you.
With love and affection,
~Gerald Jerry

Working with Sam at Coventry/WellPath, one of the things I loved most about him was his unabashed devotion to the ladies in his life. May that love and devotion sustain you. Sam was a gentleman and a gentle man who enriched the lives of everyone privileged to be in his orbit. Sending you warm thoughts and hugs.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. After losing my Dad Arthur Pearsonalmost a year ago, I understand what you all are going thru, but can you imagine what it must be like in heaven with Sam, Aunt Louise, Daddy and all those we loved who have gone before us! I can only imagine!

Although we haven’t seen Sam in many years. We have very fond memories of all the times that the King family used to meet at Mama King’s and at Uncle Archies and Aunt Bess’s home. We would like to express our sympathy to each of you in your loss.